The Australian Department of Home Affairs has announced important changes to accepted English language tests and score thresholds for visa applicants. These updates take effect from 7 August 2025 and are aimed at aligning proficiency standards across all test providers. Official document: https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L00905/asmade/text
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, higher scores are required. For tests taken before August 7, the previous test score applies.
New English Tests Accepted
Good news is that from this date, applicants can now choose from three newly approved English tests:
CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
Test results are valid for up to 3 years from the date of testing, in line with current standards.
Updated Score Requirements
To ensure fairness across different formats, the Department has revised the minimum score thresholds for several tests, including:
PTE Academic
C1 Advanced
OET
TOEFL iBT
Note: C1 Advanced is no longer accepted for Vocational English level.
English Levels and Minimum Scores
Australia’s visa system recognises five different levels of English proficiency. Each visa subclass has specific requirements, which now reflect the updated score tables.
🟡 Functional English
Test
Minimum Score
IELTS
Average 4.5
TOEFL iBT
26
PTE Academic
24
LANGUAGECERT Academic
38
MET
38
CELPIP General
5
OET
1020
🟠 Vocational English
Test
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
IELTS
5
5
5
5
TOEFL iBT
8
8
9
14
PTE Academic
33
36
29
24
🔵 Competent English
Basic requirement for skilled migration.
Test
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
IELTS
6
6
6
6
PTE Academic
47
48
51
54
C1 Advanced
163
163
170
179
TOEFL iBT
16
16
19
19
OET
290
310
290
330
CELPIP General
7
7
7
7
LANGUAGECERT Academic
57
60
64
70
MET
56
55
57
48
🟢 Proficient English (10 Points in GSM)
For those claiming additional points in the points test.
Test
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
IELTS
7
7
7
7
TOEFL iBT
22
22
26
24
PTE Academic
58
59
69
76
OET
350
360
380
360
C1 Advanced
175
179
193
194
CELPIP General
9
8
10
8
LANGUAGECERT Academic
67
71
78
82
MET
61
63
74
59
🔴 Superior English (20 Points in GSM)
Maximum points for English in skilled migration.
Test
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
IELTS
8
8
8
8
TOEFL iBT
26
27
30
28
PTE Academic
69
70
85
88
OET
390
400
420
400
CELPIP General
10
10
12
10
LANGUAGECERT Academic
80
83
89
89
C1 Advanced
186
190
210
208
MET
❌
❌
❌
❌
🎓 Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Unless exempt, students must meet the following minimum English test scores (without ELICOS):
Test
Minimum Score
IELTS Academic
6.0
PTE Academic
47
TOEFL iBT
67
OET
1210
CELPIP General
7
LANGUAGECERT Academic
61
MET
53
🎓 Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Test
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Overall
IELTS
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
6.5
TOEFL iBT
12
12
14
17
81
PTE Academic
40
42
41
39
55
OET
260
280
260
310
1310
LANGUAGECERT Academic
49
54
56
62
67
MET
53
51
51
43
58
CELPIP General
6
6
6
6
8
Who Is Exempt from Testing?
You are exempt from providing English test results if you hold a valid passport from:
United Kingdom
United States
Canada
New Zealand
Republic of Ireland
⚠️ However, to claim Proficient or Superior English points, a test is still required regardless of your nationality.
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